Whereas, the sequence of events in the land of “caste’s” called India is:

A girl loves a boy.

The boy loves the girl.

So, they get married and if they are of the same “gotra” then the next day, their corpses are found hanging from the fan.

The “lived happily ever after” doesn’t exist here. Why will it be? After all, they insulted the reputation and ideals of their own communities by doing so. They were a complete failure at holding their families false pride. They did not respect the wants and desires of their communities because after all, marriages do not take place between two people and it is not their future which is to be thought of instead it is the communities whose future is at stake. And of course, you have to think about the community’s interest only. Who cares whether or not there is any consent of the two people who are actually getting married? Who cares whether or not there is any love between them which shall be united forever by the matrimonial bond? Nobody does. All that matters is whether or not the unison shall be in benefit of the communities.

This is the cruel reality which has engulfed the Indian society today. And to make matters even more deplorable and disgusting, the oxymoron “honour killing” has been coined to describe this draconian process. What I fail to understand is why was this word “honour” used? What is so honourable about killing two people who are in love and want to be happy with each other? Does this protect the honour of the people who die or their families who lose their children? These are nothing but pure, cold blooded murders and they deserve to be seen in the same light by the forces of law.

Time is the biggest manipulator of every operation. As the time changes, so does the process of working of several concepts. Keeping in consideration the current rate of development which has led to an increased rate of financial independence of the women, immense exposure to the people involved in various activities etc, the traditional stand of abstaining from same gotra marriage has no basis to ensure it sustenance. The changed scenario has given such a huge platform to work and interact to the people that ideals like caste and gotra have been left far behind. When there are so many things to learn and to do, nobody has any time to think about these irrelevant traditions. For any person, working in a multinational corporation, the question whether or not his companion is a person of the same gotra or not has no significance or importance whatsoever. Therefore, the time has changed and so have the definitions of the people. Today, concepts like, gotra, caste etc are nothing but mere impediments in the path of development of the individuals. The society today is not a mere village instead it consists of several countries.

Thus what has to be done to put a stop to such heinous acts is that, firstly, the government has to stop giving their acquiescence to the operation of such acts as it has in the form of the support given by the CM of Haryana to the khap panchayat on their decision to put a ban on same gotra marriage. Their cheap methods of politics to increase their votes are causing such irretrievable harm which has to come to an end. Also, the courts of justice have to play a more dynamic role by bringing out the grass root problems and formulating laws which eliminate these issues forever.

The Supreme court’s directive under which it has issued a notice to the centre and eight north Indian states where it has asked for details of the steps taken by the state governments to prevent these “honour killings” is a welcome change. Along with this, the active role played by the media will definitely ensure the initiation of a revolution that shall ensure that these “honourable” acts are declared to be extremely “dishonourable” followed by a severe punishment.

Recently, The Delhi High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking amendment in the law to ban same ‘gotra’ (sub-caste) marriages, calling the petition “a waste of time”.

“You don’t know what gotra is? Which Hindu text prescribes banning of sagotra (same clan) marriage? Why are you wasting the time of the court?” asked the bench.

Few more judgements of this type will guarantee a future where two people will meet, fall in love and decide to be with each other forever without any apprehension or fear that they might be living their last moments together.

Our past generations have been victims of these baseless and illogical traditions. For they have been the victims therefore their children should also suffer, this rule shall not prevail. A change has to be brought and fast. Life is very short and unpredictable. So there is no time to hate or spread hatred. Let us just love, spread the love and be happy.

Do you remember the first time you saw your newborn’s face? The first time they smiled or called you? The first time they were not ready to leave your hand when you took them to the school? Your proud face when he brought home his first trophy? These memories are as fresh as if they happened yesterday. Then what happened in these few years that today you are not happy for your child when they find somebody who loves them. Isn’t that what you taught them? To love and be happy. I would like to appeal to all the parents to support their child’s happiness and accept that there are other things which make their child happy other than them. So, next time they touch your feet seeking your blessings for their “happily ever after”, say it from your heart-

“Khush raho. Jeetey raho!!”

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